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Bbmaj7 Chord

Bbmaj7 adds A, a major seventh, to the B flat major triad. The seventh sits a semitone below the root above it, giving a settled chord a close, unresolved edge.

  • Notes: B flat-D-F-A
  • Symbol: Bbmaj7
  • Imaj7 in Bb major
  • Major seventh
Switch chordBbmaj7

How to play a Bbmaj7 chord

Notes: Bb - D - F - A · symbol Bbmaj7

  • Root position

    Bb - D - F - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 1st inversion

    D - F - A - Bb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left 5-4-2-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F - A - Bb - D
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

  • 3rd inversion

    A - Bb - D - F
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-4-5 · Left 5-3-2-1

Where does Bbmaj7 belong?

All four notes come from the B flat major scale, where Bbmaj7 can be the home chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Bb majorHome, jazz style
    Imaj7

    The end point of a ii-V-I in Bb: a resting chord with a soft glow.

    Cm7ii7F7V7Bbmaj7Imaj7
  • In F majorA dreamy step away
    IVmaj7

    Swaying between Fmaj7 and this chord is a staple of soul and bossa nova.

    Fmaj7Imaj7Bbmaj7IVmaj7
  • In D minorMinor-key color
    bVImaj7

    In D minor it brings in warmth before the music turns back home.

    DmiBbmaj7bVImaj7CbVIIDmi

Progressions to try

  • Cm7F7Bbmaj7

    Bbmaj7 is the Imaj7 arrival at the end of a ii-V-I in Bb major.

  • Fmaj7Bbmaj7

    Here Bbmaj7 is IVmaj7: a step away from the home chord rather than a final cadence.

  • DmBbmaj7CDm

    In D minor, Bbmaj7 colors the bVI degree before the phrase returns to minor.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x13231, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The 687766 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 3210 is the easiest place to start. The 3555 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play B flat-D-F-A. Move B flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, D-F-A-B flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

B flat is the root, D the major third, F the fifth and A the major seventh, eleven semitones above the root.

  • Root position: B flat-D-F-A, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: D-F-A-B flat, written Bbmaj7/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F-A-B flat-D, written Bbmaj7/F if F is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Third inversion: A-B flat-D-F, written Bbmaj7/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Bbmaj7 differ from Bb7?

Keep the major triad and lower A to A flat. That makes Bb7, the dominant-seventh version; the changed seventh is the difference to hear. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Bb7 for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Bbmaj7

    Bb - D - F - A
    C4

    Bb major 7

  • Bb7

    Bb - D - F - Ab
    C4

    Bb dominant 7

Try another chord